[Crea]

doesnt all modern BMW have coded keys??? whats the point of installing the alarm? i never thought about this until my CA ask me if i wanted the alarm installed, and i refused.

can u guys list some benefit of having the BMW alarm? i mean, if someone is gonna break ino my car, having an alarm wont make a difference. either way, they cant steal it unless they have my key.

[LOLrance]

Originally Posted by Crea

doesnt all modern BMW have coded keys??? whats the point of installing the alarm? i never thought about this until my CA ask me if i wanted the alarm installed, and i refused.

can u guys list some benefit of having the BMW alarm? i mean, if someone is gonna break ino my car, having an alarm wont make a difference. either way, they cant steal it unless they have my key.

True, but what if they steal whats inside your car. Or better yet, what if someone was vandalizing your car. Wouldn't you want your alarm to go off so it draws attention and maybe other people might see these people vandalizing your car and stop them.

I know everytime i hear a car alarm go off, i try to figure out whats going on.

[TTG]

The only benefit I can think of is the red light flashing (there are cheaper ways to get it to flash) and if someone ever busts your window and if you are around you will hear the siren....

Besides that there isn't much of a use for an alarm. It is mainly to protect your belongings in the car..... they will take your car if they really want it.... alarm is not going to stop that :-)

[AndrewAZ]

I say no.. Just dont keep anything of any value in your car.. Most people arnt smart enough to know if you have an alarm or not and they will go after "easy" targets.

Then again when you hear a car alarm go off do you really pay any attention? I sure dont at least one is going off every other day when I park my car in the parking garage.. 99% of the time its set off form another cars exhaust..(stupid hondas)

[liam821]

Originally Posted by TTG

The only benefit I can think of is the red light flashing (there are cheaper ways to get it to flash) and if someone ever busts your window and if you are around you will hear the siren....

The alarm on our cars doesnt have a shock sensor, so unless you try to open the door or hood it wont go off if your car is hit or a window broken.

Its basicly useless IMO - but it does make the clown nose blink!

liam

[ManUnited]

Originally Posted by Crea

doesnt all modern BMW have coded keys??? whats the point of installing the alarm? i never thought about this until my CA ask me if i wanted the alarm installed, and i refused.

can u guys list some benefit of having the BMW alarm? i mean, if someone is gonna break ino my car, having an alarm wont make a difference. either way, they cant steal it unless they have my key.

I didn't go for the alarm because of two reasons:
1. A real "expert" will break into your car even with an alarm, either with a kind of duplicate key or whatever. The alarm wouldn't help a lot or protect your stuff inside the car.
2. I realized that in more than 80% of car alarms (at least here in Switzerland) people just get annoyed but don't act or pay attention to such an alarm.

Ignore the alarm and keep the money for something more helpful (adaptive curve light, active steering, etc.).

[STE92VE]

I agree with what most others have posted. The alarm is only a deterrent. If you leave your iPod or portable GPS in plain view, any perp will smash and grab whether you have an alarm or not. It comes down to how much, peace of mind is worth to you. For the $700 the dealer wanted for the alarm install, I'll take my chances and be prudent by not leaving anything in sight.

BTW, if you do a , this topic has been covered extensively.

[chbrules]

It just takes a little bit of effort to double check making sure nothing is in sight. Plus, the car looks that much sexier being clean on the inside as well as outside.

I was considering getting the active alarm in my 335i as well, but I don't think it'll really help anything. I hate the labor costs of these damn parts; now I really know why they're called stealerships.

[tjnptel1]

i think the motion sensors is a good plus. I have a habit of leaving my windows down, run into 7-11 real quick and grab a drink.

If somebody tries to reach in while i am buying something, it will go off and get my attention.

[bmw0perat0r]

Originally Posted by l4wr3nc3

True, but what if they steal whats inside your car. Or better yet, what if someone was vandalizing your car. Wouldn't you want your alarm to go off so it draws attention and maybe other people might see these people vandalizing your car and stop them.

I know everytime i hear a car alarm go off, i try to figure out whats going on.

Thats kinda what I thought...at first. Around here no one pays any attention to the alarm b/c so many people set it off either through their own stupidity (i've done it) or its too sensitive and some ricer runs by with a loud exhaust...alarm goes off. No one thinks twice.

I'd think car thieves would have at least some sense and know all they have to do is act like your car is theirs if the alarm goes off.

I don't know...if someone wants the car they will take it with or without the alarm. You can't stop someone from vandalizing your car...most people won't intervene b/c a lot of people are armed these days and random bystanders won't bother - its not worth getting hurt over...who can blame them.

What is useful - or might be...the BMW tracking system provided with BMW assist - LoJack ...or a alarm system that fires bolts of electricity at anyone who gets closer than a predetermined distance from the car - thats what I want. A tazer capable vehicle.

Play smart - don't drive into bad areas, always close windows and lock the doors when you leave. Don't leave any valuables visible - including change (bro's friend's car was broken into for change in a cup holder). Pay the money, park in the parking garage and not on the street (city).

[LEDZEP]

I agree that no one should get the alarm. That way if my car is parked in a line of BMWs they will pick your cars to mess with and not mine.

[STE92VE]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

I agree that no one should get the alarm. That way if my car is parked in a line of BMWs they will pick your cars to mess with and not mine.

On the contrary...that flashing clown nose will attract the perps to your car like hookers to the pier when the fleet comes in.

[txusa03]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

I agree that no one should get the alarm. That way if my car is parked in a line of BMWs they will pick your cars to mess with and not mine.

you have 2 bmw, so your chance of getting picked on is higher then everyone else. Plus one of your car really stands out with the lemon int.

yeah, it sucks to won too many bmw.

[s420merc]

I live in NYC one of the worst places for stolen cars.
I have never had a problem with my E46 330ci no alarm and no one ever tried to steal it.
with the new keys and such i dont think its neccessary if a Pro wants ur car they will take it no matter what alarm u have.
If you were going to put money into anything get a Lojack at least u get an insurance discount.

[ejazbmw]

isnt there a way to make the clown nose thing blink without haven a alarm? i

[gary328xi]

E9xx have a tilt sensor so if you have an alarm and someone try to jack-up your car or tow it the alarm will go off. In all if you follow the DIY to install the alarm its worth it for the peace of mind.

[Gort]

I have it in mine, but it was included by the dealer to "seal the deal" at no extra cost. I like tilt detection feature and the interior motion sensor. At night, the clown nose makes it look like there is a Cylon inside the car. You can see that thing a block away.

[STE92VE]

Originally Posted by gary328xi

In all if you follow the DIY to install the alarm its worth it for the peace of mind.

Keep in mind you will need to bring it to the dealer to program the alarm into the car.

[gary328xi]

Originally Posted by STE92VE

Keep in mind you will need to bring it to the dealer to program the alarm into the car.

Cost only $45...

[TTG]

Originally Posted by liam821

The alarm on our cars doesnt have a shock sensor, so unless you try to open the door or hood it wont go off if your car is hit or a window broken.

Its basicly useless IMO - but it does make the clown nose blink!

liam

If someone busts your window the motion sensor will pick that up.....But you are right, there is no schock sensor.

Originally Posted by STE92VE

Keep in mind you will need to bring it to the dealer to program the alarm into the car.

Very unnecessary if you ask me.... We installed 2 alarms over the weekend and the work just fine without programing.... The only 2 things that do not work are:

--Sound notification when you arm / disarm (I do not want this feature on anyway)
--Hood sensor....(If they go all the way as far as poping your hood.....that means they know what they are doing and will take your car anyway)

So save the $$$$ and don't get your alarm activated..... It works just fine!

[STE92VE]

Originally Posted by TTG

Very unnecessary if you ask me.... We installed 2 alarms over the weekend and the work just fine without programing.... The only 2 things that do not work are:

--Sound notification when you arm / disarm (I do not want this feature on anyway)
--Hood sensor....(If they go all the way as far as poping your hood.....that means they know what they are doing and will take your car anyway)

So save the $$$$ and don't get your alarm activated..... It works just fine!

Are you saying that the clown nose will flash without programing?

[bronco]

I would get the Alarm, just for the freaking "beep" sound after you lock your car. Cant stand the idea that I will need to look and make sure my car got locked after I pressed the Fob button.
I am so used to just leaving my car behind and waiting to hear the audible notification after I lock it from the fob.